Ford Orders Third Recall of 2013 Escape Over Engine Fire Risk
Ford has recalled 7,600 Escape SUVs with 1.6-litre engines built between October 2011 and August 2012 due to a new fire hazard linked to an engine component.
Ford Motor Company has issued a third recall for its 2013 Escape SUV, targeting 7,600 vehicles equipped with the 1.6-litre engine and built between 5 October 2011 and 31 August 2012, after identifying a new fire risk linked to an engine component.
The latest recall, announced in early September 2012, concerns an improperly installed cup plug in the engine. Ford stated that if this plug becomes loose or dislodged, it can cause an immediate loss of engine coolant. Escaping coolant may then come into contact with hot engine surfaces, potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Ford described the risk of the cup plug dislodging as low, with the likelihood of a resulting fire even lower. The company said the defect is unrelated to the earlier fuel line issue that prompted a separate recall just weeks before.
Sequence of Recalls for the 2013 Escape
This marks the third recall for the 2013 Escape in a short period. The first, in July 2012, addressed a carpet flaw that could interfere with braking. Days later, Ford recalled Escapes fitted with the 1.6-litre engine for a fuel line defect that could also lead to an engine fire. That recall was notable for Ford’s instruction to owners to stop driving the affected vehicles immediately, a rare measure in recall practice.
Ford’s spokeswoman, Marcey Zwiebel, confirmed that the cup plug issue is a separate manufacturing problem from the earlier fuel line recall. Both issues affect the same 1.6-litre engine variant, but the root causes differ.
What Owners and Dealers Must Do
Owners of the affected vehicles are expected to be contacted by Ford with instructions on how to proceed. The company will inspect the cup plug installation and carry out repairs as needed. Ford has not advised owners to stop driving their vehicles for this recall, unlike the previous fuel line issue.
Dealers will be responsible for checking the cup plug and correcting any installation faults. The recall covers vehicles built within a specific ten-month window, so only a portion of 2013 Escapes are affected. Ford has said that the likelihood of a coolant leak remains low, but the recall is being carried out as a precaution to eliminate any risk of fire.
Context: Recalls and Ford’s Response
The rapid sequence of recalls for the new Escape has put Ford’s quality control under scrutiny, particularly as two of the three relate to fire hazards. The company’s leadership has previously addressed concerns about the impact of these recalls on its reputation and customer confidence. For further details on Ford’s executive response, see Ford CEO Alan Mulally addresses Escape recall setbacks.
